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Related to Anubis of Egyptian Mythology. Anubis replaces Apophis as the show's main villain after the latter's ultimate demise in the first episode of Season 5. Anubis appears as a shadowy hooded figure wearing a large black cloak. Instead of a human face, all that can be seen under the hood is a shifting energy field similar to the event horizon of the Stargate itself.

Anubis is a Goa'uld that was exiled from the System Lords for a 1000 years for crimes unspeakable even to the Goa'uld. Long thought dead, Anubis returns in the wake of Apophis' defeat and begins to dominate the galaxy using advanced technology superior to that of the Goa'uld.

It is eventually revealed that Anubis is an Ascended being, similar to Oma Desala. Because of his evil nature, the other Ascended tried to cast him out as soon as they learned of his existence, but they were only partially successful. Anubis retains much of his Ascended nature, including a spirit-like body that he requires a forcefield to maintain in a humanoid shape. When he Ascended, Anubis gained the knowledge of the Ancients, giving him the ability to build their advanced technology.

Anubis' most significant achievements include the creation of a new, almost indestructible ground trooper (known as Kull Warriors to the Goa'uld and Supersoldiers to the Tau'ri), the construction of a Death Star-like superweapon capable of destroying entire planets, and the destruction of the Tollan civilization as well as the near destruction of the Tok'ra.

Anubis finally launches an all-out attack against Earth using more than 30 motherships in the Season 7 season finale, "Lost City", but he and his fleet are incinerated when Jack O'Neill uses the planetary weapon of the Antartica Ancient outpost to defend the Earth.

Because of his immaterial, half-ascended nature, Anubis survives the destruction of his fleet and attempts to return to power after crash-landing on Earth. He manifests as an invisible energy that possesses various members of the SGC until he manages to escape through the stargate, only to find himself stranded and frozen on a remote ice planet.

Despite his advanced technology and immortal nature, Anubis is limited in that he cannot actually use the power of the Ascended, as that would cause the other Ascended to intervene as they did to Daniel Jackson when he tried to use his powers to interfere in mortal affairs.